The day was an extremely bad day for Kenji as not only did he engage with a heated argument with his family who wanted to force him into doing something he found extremely boring. He also told them he would become successful without following on their footsteps and ran away from home. Now he was in a deep shit, as he was lost on what he should do next.
His legs trailed around the market place, his hands grabbing snacks here and there and stuffing them into his mouth while the shop owners could only bow their head and curse in their mind, but he didn't care.
He found a bench at the side of the street as he took a small rest, due to exhaustion when he suddenly saw a young man covered in dark robes in front of that damn old foggy store.
His tired body immediately rejuvenated itself as he listened carefully to the trade. He was expecting the boy to leave after hearing the price but was shocked speechless when he saw the boy bringing out the coins making him wonder who it could be as there weren't many like him who were that wealthy in this market place.
His eyes were filled with curiousity as he thought of a way to get closer to such a person. According to his family code, every rich person was a fat good trade.
He thought of a way to approach the young man but his chance came when he saw the young man bringing out another money. He immediately knew the young man was getting ripped off by that damn old foggy and so his chance came.
-- -- --
Lucian dipped his hands into his pockets as he was about to bring out 150 star coins when a fat hand suddenly landed on Lucian's shoulder, making his stomach churn a little from their weight as a voice said to the trader.
"You damn old foggy, are you trying to rip off my brother?" the voice of a young man echoed out as spittle flew out from his mouth with every word landing on the old man's face.
Lucian stared at who the owner of the hand could be as he saw the fatty beside him. This was probably the fattest person Lucian ever so, as every inch of the boy's body was covered in bodily fats.
His eyes revealed a murderous expression as he stared at the trader while pulling Lucian closer to himself, making the unbearable stench of different food smelling in his clothes assault Lucian's nose.
"How can fellow daoist say that... I'm just engaging in fair business with my long lost brother here..."
"Shut up you damn old foggy. Who is your damn long lost brother, everyone know you're no good person as you always try to rip people off when they come to you. I'll be taking the map for 2 coins." Kenji said, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
Sweat poured down the man's face, as he wondered how his good situation immediately changed to this. Who would have thought the notorious Young master Kenji of the Azure market will be around when he was making his deal.
"Hehe, how about we settle at the former fifty coins, you know..." the man said but was shutted up when a golden coloured card dangled before his eyes, as he gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with regret.
"Ok brothers, let's make the deal at 2 coins, shall we." he said gnashing his teeth in anger as he slowly brought out the map, his eyes showing extreme unwillingness.
Kenji hand immediately yanked the map from his hands, his eyes flashing a knowing smile to the crooked man.
"Thank you trader. Even though you're a damn old foggy, everyone know you have a big heart, don't they?" Kenji asked with a taunting voice.
"Haha, it seems fellow daoist know me better." the man said with a smile which was like that of a person doing all he could to hold back his tears.
"Let's go brother." Kenji said as he dragged Lucian away from the stall, leaving the crooked man who had a tear drop rolling down his eyes as he repeatedly wave at the two young men.
Lucian was a little surprised as how everything went as the map he wanted to buy for 150 coins was finally sold for 2 coins.
"So you're not from around here are you." The fatty asked as he slowly removed his hands from his shoulders while they both kept walking around the place.
"Just a little advice, brother, in the Azure Market, no one buy for the amount the trader calls it. Always reduce the amount, like what I did before. The map at most could be sold for 10 coins but he tricked you in trying to pay 150 coins for it." Kenji said looking at the innocent young man.
Lucian's face shone with surprise as he almost never knew of the word bargain before. But he was still careful to indulge the fatty as he saw him bringing out the golden coloured card which allowed the trader to agree with the trade. It could only mean the fatty had a special background.
"Anyway, my name is Kenji. Kenji Zenin."
Lucian's face showed a knowing smile hearing the Fatty's name. The Zenin clan was a clan focused on forgery and business so it wasn't hard to know why the boy had that card.
"What's yours?"
"I'm Lucian. Lucian Atherston." Lucian responded.
"So Lucian, are you trying to partake in the Divine Battle sect exam?" Kenji asked easily arriving at a conclusion from all what he learned about the young man.
"Yes, I plan on joining the Divine Battle sect, although I'm a little lost on how to get there."
"Well, this can only be called fate then. I also planned on joining the sect, so why don't we both go together. Besides I'm well aware of the location of the sect and we can ensure avoiding mistakes on the way. A good plan isn't it." Kenji said with a smile.
Lucian thought carefully about it, but he found nothing wrong with it and besides he get to have a person who is familiar with the way follow him. It actually benefits him instead.
"Ok, no problem." Lucian said as he unfurled the map and checked the location, it seems the Divine Battle sect was in the north of the Azure Dragon province. An extremely harsh environment that witnessed extreme weather conditions. Travelling there will take about two days with a chariot.
The duo slowly headed to the Azure Transport House. The place that holds the most means of transportation in the Azure Dragon province.
Lucian found a chariot which cost about 100 star coins for travelling to the Divine Battle sect but as he moved forward, a hand grabbed him from behind as it dragged him back.
"If we carry a chariot, it will take two days to get there but if we use a flying beast, it will take less than 12 hours. So why don't we use the flying beast instead." Kenji asked staring at Lucian. He himself had only ever travelled in a chariot once, to fulfill his curiousity, and that was just too boring for him. Travelling with a flying beast was the norm.
"Oh?,Ok." Lucian.
The duo arrived before a section of the place as different gigantic flying beasts could be seen in this place. Lucian saw different types of birds in this place, each radiating powerful auras showing their ability to cultivate although they have been tamed.
Kenji led him deeper Into the place as they finally saw what they'll be taking on the journey.
In front of Lucian and Kenji was a beautiful white coloured coloured eagle of about 3 metres tall.
It's eyes were completely golden with no irises at all, its sharp golden coloured beak gleaming coldly with sharpness, while it stood on its two powerful legs which were covered in golden scale.
This was the Golden-eyed Eagle. An early stage Star rank flying beast.
Walking towards the middle aged man standing in front of the beast.
"We want transportation to the Divine Battle sect." Kenji asked, his demeanor changing suddenly to more business like.
"A transportation to the Divine Battle sect will cost you 250 coins." the man said.
Kenji suddenly brought out the golden coloured card causing the man's expression to change slightly as he uttered.
" I can agree to take you with 125 coins if you Sirs are willing." the man said as Kenji immediately brought out 125 coins and handed it over the man.
"Don't mention it."Kenji said to Lucian before he could say anything as his fat hand grabbed Lucian's shoulder dragging him towards the eagle.
The bird was untied and the man slowly climbed up. Gently patting the back of the beast, it lowered it's back as the duo climbed up at its back.
Lucian was extremely nervous climbing the back of the beast as this was the first time he'll be traveling using a beast, but the soft feather of the eagle managed to calm him down while Kenji fat and reassuring hand held him tightly.
"Is this your first time flying. Actually it isn't as scary as it is and it's actually enjoyable. I can even ride one myself." Kenji said as if it was an incredibly minor thing.
Lucian made a 'hmm' sound to that as the man sitting at the front of the beast suddenly flared his body with power causing a round dome to cover them both.
With a loud and powerful screech, the Golden-eyed Eagle ascended into the air as it soared into the sky with speed.